Chargers vs. Washington Week 1 NFL injury report, odds, pick: Spread moving with Austin Ekeler in doubt, Curtis Samuel unlikely

There may no be Week 1 game with two more important offensive players in question than the Los Angeles Chargers at Washington Football Team on Sunday as Bolts running back Austin Ekeler, arguably the best pass-catching back in the NFL, and WFT big-play receiver Curtis Samuel are both in doubt – Samuel seems very unlikely to make his Football Team debut. This spread has been on the move. The Chargers were -1 on Wednesday on the NFL odds at Caesars Sportsbook, but now the WFT is -1.

Thursday practices for both teams obviously will be key. Ekeler was non-participant Wednesday with a hamstring issue. Two obvious warning signs there: First, Ekeler wasn't even limited but didn't go at all; second, he dealt with hamstring issues last year (and a hyperextended knee) that limited Ekeler to 10 games and hampered him in others. He rushed 116 times for 530 yards and a TD and caught 54 passes for 403 yards and two scores. The year before when he played all 16 games, Ekeler was a Fantasy football superstar with 11 total TDs and about 1,550 total yards. He was a first-round pick in most Fantasy drafts this year.

Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree III are the other backs on Los Angeles' roster. Jackson presumably would be the primary back with Kelley the short-yardage guy. Sunday is the head coaching debut of the Bolts' Brandon Staley, and he didn't play most of his starters, including QB Justin Herbert, at all in the preseason.

LA is on a four-game SU and ATS winning streak, the longest active cover streak in the NFL (Bucs can tie it Thursday night as it includes playoffs). That obviously wasn't enough to save Coach Anthony Lynn's job. In the past two seasons, the Chargers have played a whopping 23 games decided by one possession, tied for most in the league. They are 7-16 in those. Seattle also has played 23 and is 18-5.

Washington signed Samuel, the former Panthers receiver, to a three-year, $34.5 million free-agent contract this offseason, but he has spent time on the NFL's COVID-19 list and has been hampered by a groin injury since offseason workouts. Samuel practiced for the first time with his new team Monday, but left practice early Wednesday after tweaking his groin.

Good player when healthy as last year Samuel played in 15 games for Carolina and had 77 receptions for 851 yards and three touchdowns while rushing 41 times for 200 yards and two scores. However, it's sounding as if he won't play Sunday. Rookie Dyami Brown would see extra snaps.

It will be the Washington QB debut of veteran journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick. Believe it nor not, "FitzMagic" is 13-5 ATS in his past 18 starts, second-best in the NFL in that span among QBs (min. 10 starts). This is Fitzpatrick's ninth career team, a record for any player at any position.

Free pick: This writer has backed Washington. 

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